Whatsapp Users have until May 15 to Accept the App’s Updated Terms

WhatsApp has said that its users that refuse to accept its updated terms and conditions before May 15 will be unable to use the app to send and receive messages until they comply.

The company also stated that the defaulters’ accounts will be listed as “inactive” adding that such accounts can be deleted after 120 days.

According to reports, calls and notifications will still function for “a short while” but,  probably only a “few weeks”.

WhatsApp announced the update in January and it was met with fierce criticisms among many users who thought it meant the company was planning to change the amount of data it shared with its parent company, Facebook. It later clarified this was not the case.

The company also explained that the update was aimed at enabling payments to be made to businesses.

WhatsApp already shares some information with Facebook, such as the device’s IP address and purchases made via the platform.

But this is not the case in Europe and the UK, where different privacy laws exist.

Whatsapp’s initial announcement led to a surge in demand for platforms like Telegram and Signal as WhatsApp users sought alternative encrypted-messaging services.

WhatsApp held back the initial rollout and has now modified the way it is prompting users of the changes.